MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1996--Versant Object Technology, a premiere provider of Object Database Management Systems (ODBMS), today announced that Passage Systems, the end-to-end solution for all forms of electronic publishing, has deployed the Versant ODBMS as a key component of the PassagePRO on-line documentation system.

PassagePRO is an object-oriented open publishing server and integration platform that automates the creation of an enterprise-wide electronic library. Versant is used as the database that stores books, component objects, original source files and multimedia files, which combine to make up customers' "electronic library." Customers can distribute documentation stored as HTML within the Versant repository for Internet viewing, CD-ROM and translation into foreign languages, Braille and other formats.

"Passage Systems knew early on that adopting an object database was the only feasible offering for the PassagePRO repository," said Vance Nakamoto, president and founder of Passage Systems. "The decision to work with Versant was in part because of its maturity within the marketplace and more importantly, scalability was critical because of the potential size and number of objects and therefore the size of the database. Typically on-line library objects are quite large and Versant is the best suited for applications of this size."

As the central repository, Versant's ODBMS allows Passage Systems to represent arbitrarily complex indexing schemes directly in the database, without the translation required from a traditional relational database. The database also stores the scripts and tools used for automating the production flow that creates and reconfigures different elements of the documentation. Versant is well suited because of its ability to provide enterprise-wide scalability and to support the complex data models involved.

Documents authored in different applications such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Framemaker and InterLeaf are filtered into SGML, (Standard Generalized Markup Language) using the PassagePRO. The SGML stored documentation within Versant's ODBMS allows users to pull together or re-combine various objects to create new electronic books targeted for output to other display formats such as HTML for Internet viewing, CD-ROM, foreign languages, Braille and other formats.

"Passage Systems' development using the Versant ODBMS is a great example of two companies combining their technology to deliver forward-thinking applications for both developers and end-users," said Robert Freeman, vice president of marketing at Versant. "This is but one example of why Versant is the best system for developing and deploying applications that employ Internet, web or multimedia platforms."

Passage Systems, Inc. is a leading architect of powerful conversion technology for creating enterprise-wide electronic libraries. Founded in 1992, Passage Systems employs some of the leading SGML and electronic publishing experts. Passage offers a complete end-to-end solution using its PassagePro and PassageHUB products, as well as consulting services, training and data conversion and has supported companies such as Sybase, Tandem and Texas Instruments to make a successful transition in adopting SGML for their online electronic publishing. For more information contact Passage Systems at 408/366-0300 or email: sales@passage.com.

Versant Object Technology is the industry's leading provider of object database management systems for multi-user, distributed environments. Versant offers a complete product line including the Versant ODBMS, the VERSANT Fault Tolerant Server, programming language interfaces to both C++ and Smalltalk, SQL-based legacy data integration, and a family of customer support services. Versant also provides Versant Argos, a model-driven, Smalltalk-based application development environment. Versant customers include Alcatel, Ameritech, British Telecom, Fujitsu Network Systems, GTE, Informix, MCI, Panasonic, Scotiabank, Siemens, Sprint, Telstra, Texaco and many other leading organizations worldwide. Additional information about Versant and its products may be obtained via the World Wide Web at http://www.versant.com. -0-

Note to Editor: Versant and Versant Argos are trademarks of Versant Object Technology Corporation. All other company names and product names are trademarks of the individual companies.

CONTACT: Versant Object Technology

Jay Mellman, 415/329-7505

jaym@versant.com

or

The Horn Group, Inc.

Bill Cox, 415/579-6449

bill_cox@horngroup.com

or

Passage Systems, Inc.

Debra Lynn, 408/366-0300

dlynn@passage.com

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